KUALA
LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mahathir Mohamad said
today that the government will consider suggestions by several quarters
for the setting up of an independent commission to conduct investigations
pertaining to injuries sustained by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while in police
custody.

"If that is everybody's
desire, we'll have to consider," he told reporters after presenting educational
assistance and Hari Raya gifts to orphans in the Federal Territory, at
the Tabung Haji building, here.

He was asked to
comment on the statement yesterday by Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah
who holds the police fully responsible for injuries sustained by the former
deputy prime minister while in detention.

Asked when the
commission will be set up, Dr Mahathir said that he had not thought about
it and would have to study the matter first.

Several quarters
including the DAP, Gerakan and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) have called
for the setting up of an independent commission to investigate allegations
by Anwar that he was assaulted while in police custody following his arrest
on Sept 20, last year.

Anwar was removed
as deputy prime minister on Sept 2 and expelled from Umno the following
day.

Dr Mahathir said
that based on newspaper reports, the police investigation was not complete
as statements had not yet been recorded from several people.

The police investigation
was conducted by a special team headed by ACP Mat Zain Ibrahim.

"I read that the
investigation is not complete...statements have yet to be recorded from
several other people. Maybe they are officials higher than him," he said.

Mohtar has directed
the special investigation team to complete its investigation by recording
statements from nine senior police officers including Inspector-General
of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor and his deputy, Tan Sri Norian Mai.

Dr Mahathir said
that a deeper probe should be conducted.

"Well, the police
have been generally blamed but we will have to find out in detail...surely
we cannot blame the whole police force," he added. -- BERNAMA